Left to survive.

Uncharted Roads...

Avery shifted slightly away from Hades, feeling the need for more space between them. The proximity was uncomfortable, and she needed to clear her head. After a while, Sophia slipped out of the bus, and Avery's brow furrowed with concern. Unable to stay put, Avery followed her, with Hades trailing behind.

Sophia had just returned, shutting the bus door behind her. She noticed Avery and made her way over, her eyes flashing with a mix of worry and irritation. "Where in the world did you go?!" she whispered-yelled, her tone urgent.

Avery, her playful smile hiding her discomfort, responded with a touch of mischief, "I wasn't able to sleep, my Queen, so I went up for some fresh air." She shielded herself from Sophia's reprimanding gaze, her smile a blend of innocence and defiance.

Sophia, though still concerned, couldn't help but soften slightly at Avery's playful response. "Just... don't do that again," she said, her voice tinged with relief. "You scared me."

Avery nodded, her smile fading into a more genuine expression of understanding. "Got it," she said softly, her eyes reflecting both her gratitude for Sophia's concern and the weariness of the night. The two friends shared a brief, comforting look before heading back inside the bus, ready to face whatever challenges the day would bring.

As Sophia turned and noticed Hades standing behind Avery, her surprise was evident. Without hesitation, she pulled Avery to a seat, her expression a mix of annoyance and concern. "Why is that dog with you?" she asked, her voice tinged with irritation. The nickname "Dog" was Sophia's playful jab at Hades.

Avery glanced back at Hades, who was already making his way to his seat, and then at Sophia, understanding the tension. "He was just out for some fresh air," Avery explained, her tone light but defensive. "It's not a big deal."

Sophia's frown deepened. "I don't like the idea of you being alone with him, especially after everything that happened. He's not exactly the most trustworthy."

Avery sighed, knowing Sophia's concerns were valid but feeling the need to defuse the situation. "I know, and I have no intention of getting close. We all need to stick together right now," she said firmly. "Let's not make this harder than it needs to be."

Sophia, still a bit tense, finally nodded. "Alright, just be careful. We're all in this together."

Avery offered a reassuring smile, hoping to ease Sophia's worries. As they spoke, Hades was quietly settling into his seat at the back of the bus, not hearing their conversation. The earlier tension lingered, but the group tried to focus on the tasks ahead as the bus prepared for another challenging day.

Avery was set on maintaining a good distance from Hades, determined to keep the previous night's events behind her. She focused on the immediate challenges now, and the ones coming ahead.

Sophia, already sound asleep, had her own restless thoughts racing through her mind. As she tossed and turned, she considered the implications of their current situation. The cramped quarters of the bus and the constant proximity to her classmates were starting to wear on her. She wondered how they would manage to stay sane and avoid conflicts when forced into such close quarters for days on end.

Her mind raced with strategies to keep the group's morale high and the environment as calm as possible. Sophia was keenly aware that the bus's confined space could easily lead to tensions, and she was worried about maintaining harmony among everyone. The thought of navigating these challenges while ensuring that everyone's needs were met weighed heavily on her.

Despite her tiredness, Sophia's thoughts were consumed with finding solutions and maintaining a sense of order and peace amidst the chaos. She hoped that with careful planning and a little luck, they could find a way to make the best of their situation.